As more and more procedures become covered in ASCs, focusing on cost efficiency and quality is one way for surgery centers to be forward-looking, according to Patrick Haley, Tarzana, Calif.-based Physicians Surgery Centers' administrator.

Here are three insights on the ASC industry from Mr. Haley:

Note: Responses have been lightly edited for style and content.

Question: As an ASC administrator, how do you see your ASC growing in the next three to five years?

Patrick Haley: Opportunities present in different ways as the environment changes; finding ways to capture growth are highly market specific. The honeymoon period is seemingly over for some independent physicians who moved into the employed model years ago and the group practice is a happy medium. Collaborating with small to medium size physician groups who wish to remain autonomous but enjoy the benefits of participating in an ASC will likely be a trend moving forward.

Q: What would you say are the biggest opportunities for growth in the ASC industry today?

PH: Bigger and higher acuity cases are the obvious answer as CMS continues to expand its list of covered services. Remaining cost efficient and providing high quality service to patients and physicians over a prolonged period is the best marketing that we as an industry have done and can continue to do. The biggest opportunity is to remain vigilant on quality and cost, [while working] on incremental improvements rather than become complacent as things become more stable.

Q: How do you see the ASC landscape changing moving forward?

PH: Price and transparency is moving more and more to the front of the conversation. The industry as a whole has done a good job keeping prices competitive. As patients are linking delivery of care more directly to their own wallets in the form of insurance premiums, copays and deductibles, the overall cost is going to be more on the mind of the end user or consumer.

Interested in participating in a Q&A with Becker's ASC Review? Email Rachel Popa at rpopa@beckershealthcare.com.